Sony pulls "PSP White is coming" ads in Netherlands

It doesn't come as much of a surprise after the virulent reaction we saw last week, Sony's pulled the plug on their "PSP White is coming" ad campaign in the Netherlands, which depicted, well, you know. We're not gonna call it an admission of guilt or anything (and neither did they, read on), but Sony did apologize to those offended by the campaign, also stating, "We recognize that the subject matter of one specific image may have caused concern in some countries not directly affected by the advertising. As a result, we have now withdrawn the campaign." We're quite well aware of the cultural context in which advertising must be taken, but it's apparent the world holds a company like Sony to a higher standard, and Sony can apparently recognize this as well. So, case closed, let's all move on with our lives now, yeah? We've got some toys to obsess over, no time for this foolish business.

[Brian @ Jul 12th 2006 7:37AM]

I love the way everyone just ignored the fact that this was just one of many ads, including several depicting the black woman dominating the white woman.

Gotta love the politically correct American morons freaking about billboards half a world away. Heaven forbid you have people of two races interacting, I guess they wouldn't want that.

[martin @ Jul 12th 2006 7:45AM]

Why wouldn't you withdraw it? Why continue paying for expensive media space when every two-bit blogger on the internet has spread the image across the entire globe. The cost per impression would have been amazingly low. Global branding done cheap.

[PigPen @ Jul 12th 2006 7:58AM]

Aah, come on! I cant imagine that the "creative mind" behind this campaign has got any racist intensions.

So, the only people who are freaking out are the ones who identified two races and are making a big deal about it... those racist bastards ;)

[Lukino @ Jul 12th 2006 8:42AM]

Now all this goodwilled-americans-white-pure-of-heart that feel offended by this otherway unnoticed campaign will be happy to caused its remotion, so they can feel they obtained plenary indulgence for god know what sins they committed...

[zorg @ Jul 12th 2006 8:42AM]

History proves that you can have a black woman and white woman mud wrestling without exciting controversy, but not more or less fully clothed and grabbing each other's faces. I believe that if this campaign had been a little raunchier, it would have flown under the blogdar.

[s1n @ Jul 12th 2006 8:49AM]

Who cares? Seriously, it's just a freakin' color! I would much prefer some of the functionality they promised for the PSP due later this year such as the loading downloaded (paid for) games from the memory card. It's not like I'm going to go out and buy a new one, but I sure as hell will sell my current one if Sony doesn't get their act together.

[Volker @ Jul 12th 2006 9:08AM]

Oh maaaan,
Does this mean now I'm not allowed to drink a Latte anymore, because it will set black and white in contrast and even mix it ?

Guess I avoid it simply by ordering my Starbucks in the future as "Venti, Decaf, African-American"...

[prodigal_son @ Jul 12th 2006 9:13AM]

So now if sony wants to advertise anywhere in the world they have to check to see if americans like it?

Moral of the story: americans should be ashamed, almost as bad as the muslims who complained about mohamad with a bomb for a hat. Muslims need to stop attacking and burning things and just blog about it. Gets more done.

[mlk @ Jul 12th 2006 9:31AM]

Not that I'm terribly offended by these pictures, but I can see that the ads could be offensive to people who have endured racial dominance before. I think what the above commenters fail to acknowledge is that we do have a very long history of both slavery and racial insensitivity in the U.S.A. As well it's arguable that it still goes on today, i.e. higher rates of both poverty and incarceration among african americans. While you yourself may find the whole thing easily acceptable, I think you might want to consider that some people would be put off by what looks like a white woman dominating a black woman.

[NLmark @ Jul 12th 2006 9:49AM]

Maybe off-topic, but I live in the Netherlands and I didn't understand why this campaign was being launched in the first place. The white PSP (dutch, non-imported) has been available in stores for about a month or so now. Why launch a campaign with the slogan PSP white is coming when it´s already available?

[Xander @ Jul 12th 2006 9:51AM]

Jeez! First this, than I read also today an article today (http://www.nu.nl/news/777065/122/McDonald%27s_haalt_omstreden_urinoirs_weg.html, article alas in Dutch) that a Dutch McDonalds branch in the Netherlands has been forced by the US headoffice to change its design toilets because some US visitor was offended and complained in the US to the McDonalds head office.

To be honest it is getting kind of ridiculous that US citizens think they have the moral high ground over all of the rest of the world and even succeed in pulling it of.

Without passing any moral judgement, why are US citizens not able to recognise that moral standards differ from country to country?

Especially the sentence 'but it's apparent the world holds a company like Sony to a higher standard' in the text below shows that also Endadget editors make this same mistake: firstly they confuse an US moral standard with a world standard, secondly (and even worse) they make reference to this US moral standard as an 'higher' standard.
Sorry, but if you call the Sony ad racist, based on this sentence you could (but I will not) also call this Engadget entry racist by implying the US moral standards are superiour to the rest of the world.

But I fully agree with the last sentence: 'let's all move on with our lives now, yeah?'. So can we now go on with our lives without getting angry about different customs half a world away?

[Kevin @ Jul 12th 2006 9:52AM]

Brian, you're right. This country is in a ridiculous state of political [in]correctness. Hopefully Europe doesn't follow course with its increasingly volatile immigration issues. The movement to pull this Sony ad is more racist than the ad itself. But Americans are too blind to see. And yes I live in NYC; arguably the most culturally diverse metropolis in the world.

[alienhead_69 @ Jul 12th 2006 10:04AM]

Why didnt they just put a white psp on the billboard with "ooooOOOO!! Who's your daddy!" ?

[MrTroy @ Jul 12th 2006 10:11AM]

To the people who blame America for this... please read the article... It's even quoted above.

"We recognize that the subject matter of one specific image may have caused concern in some countries not directly affected by the advertising. As a result, we have now withdrawn the campaign,"

It says "Countries" meaning more than one. Even if America is a majority. There's no reason to place all of the blame on them.

Oh BTW "Black" people aren't only in america people. :)

[Frankenstein Black @ Jul 12th 2006 10:11AM]

TELL ME AGAIN HOW THIS MADE ANYONE WANNA RUSH OUT AND BUY A PSP? I’M GLAD THE WHOLE DAMN THING IS DONE WITH… HEY, SONY, LETS GET BACK TO WORK ON THAT OTHER THING, YOU KNOW, PS3, THE THING THAT YOU’RE FUTURE HINGES ON! AND MAKE SURE IT’S ON SCHEDULE FOR NOVEMBER! OH, AND JUST INCASE YOU NEED ANOTHER REMINDER, IF YOU MISS THIS HOLIDAY CYCLE YOU ARE, TO QUOTE A FAMOUS FRENCH POET, FUX'ED! NOW, LESS TALK AND MORE WORK!!!

[Jake @ Jul 12th 2006 10:18AM]

http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/news.php?i=1153

There's a good, well-balanced article about these ads. I'm not sure if people realize how much stronger racial tension between whites and blacks is in the U.S. than in many European countries.

[Jake @ Jul 12th 2006 10:20AM]

http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/news.php?i=1153

There's a good view on things. I don't think people realize how much stronger racial tension in the U.S. is compared to Europe. This wasn't a big deal in Holland.

[David @ Jul 12th 2006 10:24AM]

Although I personally am not offended by these ads, one must understand, to some extent, that using models of different races to depict black and white products could be considered a little racially insensitive. If people are offended by these ads, they have the right to be upset with Sony; just because its happening in a different cultural environment doesn't mean that you can't be angry about it (see Ipod sweatshops articles). If they want to use their economic power to force Sony to comply with their standards of decency, I have no problem with that.

[Dman @ Jul 12th 2006 10:26AM]

It's not about American's being sensitive, its about poor taste and bad judgment from the designers, photographer, art directors, account managers and Sony . Racism is not an "American-only" occurrence.

This practically rule #1 in advertising and its called "taste." So for all of you saying "stupid sensitive Americans," you are really being ignorant to the fact that it can be easily strewed as racist regardless of original intent.

I'm sure the art directors had to think long and hard to come up with assimilations to white vs black colors because this is just *such* an original concept.

Sony, as a worldwide entertainment and electronics company, Sony was right to pull this ill-conceived ad campaign.

[Gordy @ Jul 12th 2006 10:31AM]

Hmm, all of this over hot models, and no outcry yet over the Buckwheat inspired PSP ads that came out earlier.

[dave95 @ Jul 12th 2006 10:38AM]

Sorry but I find this to me irresponsible by Sony. It may not have been intentional like others are saying but it is offensive. Sony is a global company, so they must be extra careful not to offend any culture.

As a designer, I am trying to understand why would they make such an ad ("PSP White is coming")? Are they saying White is the new cool, and Black is no longer cool? Aren't they competing against there own product (Black PSP)? With one dominating the other like the picture suggests, that's my best guess.

[Guruboy @ Jul 12th 2006 11:10AM]

Yes but there were pictures depicting both in a dominating position.

Comments like Frankenstein Blacks just go to show that because they don't like the PS3 (or just just love 360 and Wii too much), they will insult anything with "Sony" on it.

Duh, they pulled the ads. What did you expect?

[Ahkum @ Jul 12th 2006 11:25AM]

This is why America's right hates the pc-liberal crowd. Glad the rest of the world gets to see what we have to put up with daily.

There's a old saying that if you throw a rock into a group of wolves, the one that yelps the loudest is the one that got hit. Meaning: the ones that complain the loudest over this probably have the most racial issues. Normal people just see it as a representation of a black and white psp...

[Pete Avila J.r. @ Jul 12th 2006 11:28AM]

Okay now I have heard it all. Did any african americans get offended by this at all!? Or was it a bunch of white people who thought that they might get offended!? Seriously, I didnt see how it could of offended anyone. I asked my friend who happens to be black and he said "NO"! Then laughed his ass off!

[Christian @ Jul 12th 2006 11:38AM]

Sony is batting a thousand when it comes to really pissing people off this year. First there is the root kit disaster, then a $600 PS3 (because you know, it the one and only PS3), and now they've gone and insulted a entire race of people. I've always loved Sony products, but its time they learned that there is a price to pay for stepping on their fan base with such consistency.

[Xander @ Jul 12th 2006 11:46AM]

@Ahkum: 'This is why America's right hates the pc-liberal crowd.'
Ehm... funny reference that makes US-Europe cultural differences quite visible. Firstly, the liberal parties in Europe are considered to be the right wing parties over here in the Netherlands and the liberal parties are here the parties that warn against US like political correctness,
secondly Europeans are even more baffled by the morality of the American right than the American political correctness.

Example: making lots of fuss about a possible sexual explicit scene in GTA, while those same people do not seem to care about the violence in the same game and still support free gun ownership.
For us Europeans these kind of issues do not make any sense. Nobody cares about this scene in GTA over here, if you do not like it, just do not buy the game. If anything, the fuss only managed to boost sales.

My point: Europeans and Americans have different cultural backgrounds and moral standards. There is nothing wrong with that, and I am not saying that the one is better than the other. But why can't we all accept these differences without judging the other?

The only thing that the critics of this PSP advert managed to do is to make this one of the most effective billboard campaign in the Netherlands by getting free publicity of all newspapers and newssites over here as a campaign that daring that the US could not handle it. I can not imagine that outcome is helping the intentions of the original complainers.

[Ben18 @ Jul 12th 2006 11:50AM]

I think if you simply would have had the two holding each other's faces, in an easier to identify background (the black makes it hard to see her hand) , then it simply would have been black vs white, with no clear winner, demonstrating the the older psp has new competition. I still don't think it's a good ad, but I think that might have side-stepped controversy.

[dave95 @ Jul 12th 2006 11:53AM]

Wow, for the "IHATEBLACKS" poster, it is people like you why every1 is so racialy sensitive you racist prick!

[Marlon @ Jul 12th 2006 11:59AM]

This was an ad to sell a product to the masses. Sony decided that the negative press was enough to pull the ads. Instead of that being the facts of this situation, this board has thrown race, national regions, political leanings, and the overused "PC" tag into the mix.

Remove the extremist on both sides and this issue and you will see that there are people who still are uncomfortable with the implications of this ad.

[Eric @ Jul 12th 2006 12:05PM]

"Okay now I have heard it all. Did any african americans get offended by this at all!? Or was it a bunch of white people who thought that they might get offended!? Seriously, I didnt see how it could of offended anyone. I asked my friend who happens to be black and he said "NO"! Then laughed his ass off!"

Yeah, one person. Great thing to base your theory off. Cold Fusion? Hah.
Anyway, since you seem to be ignorant, go ahead, tell Sony to put this up in an American "ghetto", or area of extreme poverty with many black citizens. See what happens. I can guarantee you you and your black friend won't be laughing when you see riots and violence on the evening news. This is a disgusting act by Sony, that they would even consider this IS offensive- and to those of you who think that Sony pulled this because of insensitive Americans on a web blog, get a a fucking clue, obviously someone over in oh, you know, Europe, was offended too. Hell, it shouldn't matter where you are from, it should be offensive- and for all of you saying "There are others with black's in the dominant position!", Wow, maybe you should take a look at the image again- They are laying down and she has her by the shirt- Grabbing someone by the face is far different. Maybe if they were both vertical and the black woman was grabbing the white one's face they would be equal, but honestly, even the one laying down seems to be an image that is racially charged.
http://www.joystiq.com/media/2006/07/sony_whiteiscoming_web_3a.jpg

[emceay @ Jul 12th 2006 12:08PM]

"This is why America's right hates the pc-liberal crowd. Glad the rest of the world gets to see what we have to put up with daily."

Yeah, america hates the PC-liberal crowd because it can't stand it's own reflection. It's about half the country, don't make it sound like it's a minority.

"what we have to put up with daily"
As if the other portion isn't American.
Do you watch o'reilly?

[emceay @ Jul 12th 2006 12:12PM]

oh yeah...
"Normal people just see it as a representation of a black and white psp..."

sorry guy, that's really disrespectful to everyone who was offended. Because, you just said they're not normal. You cannot account for the racial issues others have been through.

[daschupa @ Jul 12th 2006 12:25PM]

How did anyone not see a problem with these ads unless there is no racial debate in the Netherlands. What was the runner up when they were deciding? Maybe signs saying "White is right" or "Black is whack"?

I mean the ads don’t even make sense, is the white psp coming to kill my black psp? Why this division, this hate, can't they both get along together, maybe I could spend the holidays and weekends with the white PSP and then the weeknights with the white PSP.

I would have preferred the Scarface poster with a psp of each color in his hands.

[Momma @ Jul 12th 2006 1:03PM]

First off they aren't African Americans. They are called blacks. If we wanted to be politically correct all the time in the US then I'd have to be called an Irish American. But no, I'm just white, a cracker.

[Thom @ Jul 12th 2006 1:14PM]

How is it we (Americans) get bitched at for being stupid racist bigots one minute, and hypersensitive PC types the next?

I don't think there's anything patently wrong with these ads, but couldn't Sony come up with something a little less likely to stir controversy? Say maybe a black dog vs. a white dog, or cats, or... ninjas! One dressed in black, one in white, skin color be damned.

[Pete Avila J.r. @ Jul 12th 2006 1:20PM]

People in the ghetto have alot more to worry about than a stupid poster! I know! So eric stfu! Also I am checking out my theory! So far they all said there is nothing wrong. Telling people that its racial matter is a lie! Sony had no intensions of making it a racial thing. Its people like you why this matter is still around! Its advertisement..ADVERTISEMENT! Get over it!

[a Black Guy @ Jul 12th 2006 1:28PM]

Another thing people wouldnt give a shit if the black person was wearing white and the white women was wearing black. Thats right! Nothing to say now huh!

(This is for the racial sensitive, get over it! The only people offended by this are white people. Stop bringing up the past! IT DOES NOT OFFEND ME!!!!!!)

[Michelle @ Jul 12th 2006 1:36PM]

It is totally irresponsible for some of you to come to the conclusion that this ad is ok and that those offended are too politically correct. C'mon, the black woman looks like a slave in this ad....you have to wonder if these people even think about the ads they create. Clearly they have no common sense....and furthermore to use people in the ad makes absolutely no sense, it's not as if white people haven't been dominating the hierarchy of many societies throughout the world for hundreds of years. Totally stupid.

[Ahkum @ Jul 12th 2006 1:56PM]

@emceay

Reading comprehension ftw...

"Yeah, america hates the PC-liberal crowd because it can't stand it's own reflection. It's about half the country, don't make it sound like it's a minority."

No, the pc-liberal crowd (not to be confused with people who vote for Democrats) are about 10-20% of America, but are very vocal. Just the same that the ultra-religious right (those that try to impose their views on others) are ~ 20%, but very vocal. Then there are the 60-70% of normal Americans who are tired of both groups, but in the context of this story the pc-liberals.

People on the far edges really have to realize that just because someone disagrees with your view, it doesn't put them in the extreme other side of the political spectrum. (*cough*Joe Leiberman witch-hunt*couh*)

""what we have to put up with daily"
As if the other portion isn't American.
Do you watch o'reilly?"

We meaning the other ~80% of America who aren't the pc-mafia. No one's questioning the PC-crowd's nationality, just their intelligence.

@ the off-topic o'reilly q - nope, I think he is a smug jerk

[A.J. @ Jul 12th 2006 2:13PM]

I just read this whole page of responses with people screaming at each other and no one bother to each consider how someone in a different might be coming from simply because they've already thought up an opinion and their's is the only one that matters (this goes for both sides). I'm not jumping in that mess.

I would like to point out the ironic fact (at least to me) that while yes, Sony did spend money to make the ads, they are having to spend far less to get them shown worldwide and especially in the region in which they were targeted than they would have had to spend had the ads not been so controversial. They can now, after a relatively short while, pull the ads and still get all the publicity without having to pay to keep the ads up. Whether the ads will cost them sales, I don't know, and whether this entered into the minds of Sony's people when they decided to run the ads I won't even speculate. I just thought it an interesting underlying observation that not many really seemed to notice.

[hamacus @ Jul 12th 2006 2:24PM]

Yes I think they should have pulled it...and I hope they burn in hell! jk

From a black person in america who is rich B!@#h

lack of money is the root of all evil!

[daschupa @ Jul 12th 2006 4:04PM]

Ahkum, your comment contains 98% too many percentages.

[Markie @ Jul 12th 2006 4:57PM]

It is interesting that in a country (USA) where torture is OK, listening in on (private) phone calls is no problem, a president is choosen using dubious voting technology a advertisment that uses the word "white" is outragious. Are they going to change it "Portable, Caucasian". Should Holland also make gay marriage illegal?

[mrT @ Jul 12th 2006 6:06PM]

What gets me more is not the ad itself, which manages to be both in bad taste and offensivie, but the comments of some of the posters that seem to deny that racism exists and is a decisive issue.

I think there are more then 300 hundred comments on both posts about this ad. This issue is getting more comments then the latest treo.

I'm more shocked by some the commenters then the ad itself.

[jason H @ Jul 12th 2006 6:57PM]

MrTroywell blac people could be the only people in this country since most white kids listen to rap and dress like thier black talk like thier black and so on =)......... people most people may think theres nothing wrong with the ad campain but all it take is one person thatis trying to make some easy money and say they are offended by it and sue.

[Eric @ Jul 12th 2006 7:27PM]

"People in the ghetto have alot more to worry about than a stupid poster! I know! So eric stfu! Also I am checking out my theory! So far they all said there is nothing wrong. Telling people that its racial matter is a lie! Sony had no intensions of making it a racial thing. Its people like you why this matter is still around! Its advertisement..ADVERTISEMENT! Get over it!"

Oh, right, now according to you, I [and people like me] are the reason this is still around. Ok dude. Whatever you say. You are a fuckin' genious among men- but in all your infinite fuckin' knowledge, I guess you didn't get to read this little bit of information-

"I am pleased to see Sony taking responsibility for their racially charged ad and appropriately pulling it from the marketplace," said California Assemblyman Leland Yee who, along with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and a youth civil rights education project called Sojourn to the Past, had condemned Sony's use of the ad."

Now please, STFU.

[mike @ Jul 12th 2006 8:12PM]

A racist/controversial ad is a popular ad. That's the trick.
Anyone seen the Benetton ads? two nuns kissing each other, an albino black guy with some "normal" black guys, an AIDS guy who's dying and he looks like jesus...

... and they sell clothes.

[Maveri @ Jul 12th 2006 10:32PM]

PLEASE! Overly physical and mental rascism are one thing, and being subjugated to inhuman actions are wrong. But how bout we all face the light here- people are different colors. If white people are trying making up for the past 1000 years, they should give up and see that black people are being more rascist every moment.

Its an ad, not a weapon. yeesh.

[the smart one @ Jul 12th 2006 11:22PM]

I think what everyone is reacting to is called "White Guilt". isn't Sony based in Japan?

[yumyum @ Jul 12th 2006 11:48PM]

I have a great idea.
To end this thing once and for all, Sony must make some minor modifications to the ad.
1. Put in an Asian guy in the background
2. Let the black guy(or gal? not sure) grab the asian by the throat
3. The asian guy in turn grabs the white woman
4. Sony develops a yellow PSP

Parfait! Don't you think?
Sony! Are you taking notes?